112: Seeking a method to seal

After walking for a short while, a magnificent three-story pavilion came into view.

With upturned eaves, elaborate brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters, a massive gilded plaque hung above the doorway, bearing three bold, flowing characters—Immortal Gazing Tower.

The faint sound of stringed and wind instruments, along with the laughter and chatter of Cultivators, drifted from inside, clearly indicating a place where Cultivators gathered and news circulated freely.

“This is the place.”

Yao Delong's heart stirred, and he decided to go in and gather information.

While he was at it, he would find out where the large merchant guilds or shops were located in the city, making it convenient for him to purchase what he needed.

Just as he reached the entrance, a sharp-eyed young waiter, dressed in a clean short jacket, approached him with a beaming smile:

“Immortal Elder, please come in! Are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?

We have excellent Spiritual Tea and Spiritual Wine here, as well as fresh Spirit Beast meat just transported from the Cloud Dream Marsh!”

Yao Delong said little, casually tossing something.

Several translucent, richly imbued Mid-Grade Spirit Stones landed in the waiter's hand.

“Prepare some excellent Spiritual Food, and be quick about it.”

His voice was deliberately lowered, carrying a hint of hoarseness.

The waiter felt his hand sink, and upon seeing that they were Mid-Grade Spirit Stones,

his eyes instantly widened, and the smile on his face became even more fawning and enthusiastic!

At this Immortal Gazing Tower, most Cultivators paid with Low-Grade Spirit Stones; anyone who could casually produce Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was definitely a distinguished guest!

“Splendid! Immortal Elder, please follow me to a private room upstairs! The Spiritual Food will be served immediately; I guarantee your satisfaction!”

The waiter bowed repeatedly and diligently led Yao Delong up to a quiet, private room on the second floor facing the street.

Outside the window, the bustling street below was visible, and the environment was indeed elegant and peaceful.

Soon, a table full of delicious, visually appealing dishes imbued with Spiritual Qi was laid out:

Steamed Spiritual Codfish, Braised Crimson Flame Beast Meat, Jade Spiritual Bamboo Shoots, and a pot of warmed Spiritual Grain Wine.

Yao Delong picked up his chopsticks and appeared to be casually tasting the food, but in reality, his powerful Divine Sense spread out like invisible tentacles.

It quietly extended, capturing conversations from the entire second floor and even the first-floor lobby.

All kinds of information poured in, mostly trivial matters like marketplace rumors, cultivation insights, or where certain Spiritual Materials had been discovered.

Without changing his expression, he took out another Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, placed it on the corner of the table, and asked the waiter standing nearby:

“In this Biqiu City, where are the large shops that sell Magic Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, or special artifacts?

Preferably well-established businesses with excellent reputations.”

The waiter's gaze was instantly drawn to the Spirit Stone. He swallowed hard and quickly bowed, saying:

“Replying to the Immortal Elder, when you leave our Immortal Gazing Tower, walk east, past two streets.

That is our Biqiu City's most bustling 'Myriad Treasure Market'!

There are countless stalls and shops there, offering all sorts of rare treasures, Cultivation Technique Jade Slips, Spiritual Materials, and Medicinal Pills!

However, if you want the most reliable and fully stocked old establishment, it has to be the branch of the White Cloud Merchant Guild.

There are also the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and the Divine Weapon Pavilion—these few are all located in the very center of the market.

They have the largest storefronts and are visible at a glance! Their reputation is absolutely guaranteed!”

White Cloud Merchant Guild? Yao Delong's heart stirred; coincidentally, he possessed the White Cloud Merchant Guild's highest-level purple gold cloud pattern token.

“Mhm, I understand.” Yao Delong nodded, signaling the waiter to withdraw.

The waiter happily collected the Spirit Stone, respectfully withdrew, and gently closed the door.

Yao Delong continued to eat his Spiritual Food unhurriedly while concentrating on listening.

Soon, the conversation of several Cultivators in the private room next door caught his attention.

“...Did you hear? Over at the City Lord's Mansion, the bounty list has been updated again! The reward has been raised!”

A slightly hoarse voice said.

“Oh? Is it still about City Lord Han's injury?” Another voice replied.

“Exactly! City Lord Han Yuntian was injured years ago while repelling the Beast Tide at 'Black Wind Gorge'.

He was wounded by that Nascent Soul Stage Bone-Corroding Poisonous Flood Dragon. The Flood Dragon's Demonic Power contained potent toxins and terrifying erosive force.

Although City Lord Han managed to slay the wicked beast, the strange Demonic Power infiltrated his own organs.

For decades, he relied on his cultivation and Spirit Medicine to suppress it, but now, rumor has it... he can no longer hold it back!”

The hoarse voice carried a hint of lament.

“Alas, City Lord Han is the stabilizing force of our Biqiu City! If he falls...” Someone sighed.

“Isn't his daughter, Han Ruyi, a Core Disciple of the Moyang Sect?

I heard that for the sake of her father, she pleaded desperately within the Moyang Sect and finally obtained a Rank 6 Pill Formula!”

An informed person lowered his voice and said.

“Rank 6 Pill Formula?! Although the Moyang Sect is powerful, it's not known for its Alchemy Dao! What kind of Pill Formula is so miraculous?”

“It's said to be a miraculous Medicinal Pill specifically for treating the erosion of foreign Demonic Power and strengthening the foundation, named—nine revolutions purification elixir!

This Medicinal Pill is rumored to cleanse foreign Energy, stabilize the Origin, and have miraculous effects on injuries like City Lord Han's, which have been eroded by powerful Demonic Power for years!”

“nine revolutions purification elixir? Hiss... A Rank 6 Medicinal Pill! The difficulty of refining that...”

“That's why! Miss Han returned to the city and immediately issued the highest-level bounty at the City Lord's Mansion!

They are heavily compensating an Alchemy Great Master capable of refining this pill!

If successful, the reward is frighteningly generous, reportedly including a High Grade Earth-Grade Defensive Magic Treasure, along with massive amounts of Spirit Stones and Spiritual Materials treasured by the City Lord's Mansion!”

“High Grade Earth-Grade Magic Treasure?! My heavens... what a scale... Unfortunately, it's a Rank 6 Medicinal Pill.

Only an Alchemy Great Master can achieve this. In our entire Hegemonic Summer Dynasty, the number of people who can refine a Rank 6 Pill can probably be counted on one hand, right?

And all of them reside in those few first-tier cities. Furthermore, the Spirit Medicine required for that Pill Formula is likely extremely rare and precious...”

“Who says otherwise! I heard that several rather famous Rank 5 Alchemists have already gone to try.

But they couldn't even complete the first step of Material Purification. The Pill Formula's requirements for Heat Control and Divine Sense are simply monstrous...”

Listening to the discussion about the City Lord's Mansion bounty from the adjacent room, Yao Delong remained unfazed.

nine revolutions purification elixir? Rank 6 Medicinal Pill?

The reward was indeed tempting; a High Grade Earth-Grade Defensive Magic Treasure was enough to make countless Golden Core and even Nascent Soul Cultivators envious.

But for him, the last things he lacked right now were Spirit Stones and treasures.

In the storage ring of the Demoness Xin Yuelan, there were three Heaven-Grade Weapons! Let alone Earth-Grade Weapons?

The earth-shattering secret that he had abducted the Demon Sect Saintess was like a “Time Bomb” that could explode at any moment.

Maintaining a low profile and remaining hidden was the best policy. Becoming the center of attention? That was no different from courting death.

“It has nothing to do with me.” Yao Delong confirmed this thought, quickly finished the Spiritual Food on the table, and then rose to leave the Immortal Gazing Tower's private room.

Following the waiter's directions, he merged into the flow of people and headed toward the Myriad Treasure Market in the eastern part of the city.

The street was bustling, pedestrians rubbed shoulders, shops lined both sides, and shouts of vendors rose and fell.

Upon reaching a relatively quiet street corner, a child's panicked cries suddenly came from ahead.

“Waaah—Mama! My Pinwheel!”

He saw a little girl, about five or six years old, with pigtails,

stumbling into the middle of the street while chasing a colorful paper Pinwheel that had been blown away by the wind.

At that very moment, a heavy cargo cart, fully loaded with goods and pulled by two sturdy “Iron-Armored Rhinos,”

was rapidly turning the corner from another street!

The cart driver clearly hadn't expected a child to suddenly rush out; his face turned pale with shock.

He desperately pulled the reins tight, but the heavy cart carried tremendous momentum and was about to collide with the small figure!

“Watch out!” Several gasps sounded from the crowd.

In that critical moment!

Yao Delong frowned slightly. His body didn't move, but a stream of pure and gentle Pure Yang Spiritual Power silently surged forth from a distance.

Like an invisible large hand, it instantly enveloped the little girl, pulling her back gently yet swiftly!

Simultaneously, another, stronger stream of Spiritual Power quietly acted upon the hooves of the charging Iron-Armored Rhino, causing it to stumble violently and drastically reduce its speed!